UK Maternity Pay

[Starmoon]

Hi Girls

Another question (I am getting ahead of myself but would like some advice). I will obviously speak to my HR when I can, and have read our policy about Maternity Pay but it is a bit confusing?

It says that for the first six weeks I receive 90% of my pay. I then receive a percentage of my pay or SMP (whichever is lower) for the remaining months. As I earn £600 a week it sounds like I am going to be really badly off, there is no way I could survive on SMP of £125 a week?

Am I reading this right? Am I going to have to go back to work after 6 weeks of giving birth??

I hope not!!

 

[woohoo]

yes that is right unfortunately they dont pay you very much. unless your company has their own maternity pay. u could check with them?

x

 

[Starmoon]

Well I presumed they would have because I work for the local authority and all my other terms and conditions are really good. I can accrue annual leave and take it fully paid at the end of maternity leave so that would help. I am going to have to put some money aside each month I think. OH works but I earn the most. I do not understand how anyone is expected to live on such an amount!

 

[Mintey21]

Yeah its petty pants Starmoon, It does depend on your companies policy! I get full pay for the first 4 months then after its SMP ouucch x

 

[FlatShoes]

I get the same - 6 weeks at 90% then about £125 a week. Its crazy - god knows how I will cope!!!!

 

[FlatShoes]

Literally, my rent wil be £420 a month.

 

[Starmoon]

Thank you.

My friend is on Maternity leave at the moment but obviously it is too early for me to be asking people or I will have to tell them why I am asking!

It doesnt matter how many times I read the company policy I cannot get my head round it, although I am sure my friend said she gets paid something like 50% after the first 6 weeks PLUS SMP.

I hope this is the case!

 

[Starmoon]

Literally, my rent wil be £420 a month.

Exactly! How are girls meant to cope, especially if they have no OH?

 

[EmzyJA]

yeah thats right, thats what i'm getting. it sucks big time. but you can claim for child benefit and child tax credits, it's not that much but every little helps xx

 

[lilbumpblue]

Its a major struggle i will lose over half my earning during the £125 per week period...luckily i think we have some mortgage payment holidays i can use! x

 

[EmzyJA]

although i'm not too sure whats happening with them with the new budget? if you're worried about money then speak to your midwife, they have allsorts of information on what you're entitled to benefit wise. x

 

[FlatShoes]

What is really stupid is i'd be SO much better off if I left my job, left my OH and just claimed benefits!

Its annoying.

 

[Bluebell321]

Also, I think the £125 per week is still subject to tax, national insurance and pension. So you won't even get the full £125!

 

[Nessicle]

Hi Starmoon just seen your thread hun!

Yep tis true - depending on how your company policy works depends on when you start receiving SMP which is currently £123.88 and won't be changing.....

I get full pay for 3 months then the rest is SMP til the last three months if I decide to take a year off and then you get zilch!!

I earn a good salary atm, OH earns considerably less than me. I don't know how we'll manage but suppose we'll have to scrape by. It is also subject to tax and national insurance which is disgusting considering that those of us who will be getting SMP will have spent a while paying taxes!! How do they expect us to live on that? It should be £200 a week in today's expensive society!

it's a sad fact that most of us would be better off leaving work and going on benefits!

 

[evewidow]

Also, I think the £125 per week is still subject to tax, national insurance and pension. So you won't even get the full £125!

is it taxable ? i never knew that. I get maternity allowance not smp as i am self employed and the inland revenue said i didnt have to put it on my tax return as it wasnt a taxable benefit so i presumed smp was the same .

 

[anna matronic]

Hi, I work for a local authority too. They do have their own maternity package (although it isn;t great, better than stat pay alone!) It is 2 weeks full pay and 4 weeks at 90% (or the other wat around) Then 12 weeks(ish) on 50% plus SMP. Then the rest is basic SMP until your 39 weeks is up.

To qulaify you usually have to have been working there for 1 year 11 weeks before baby is due. I miss out by 9 days and am seeing my mw later to see if we can come to an agreement

 

[Nessicle]

Also, I think the £125 per week is still subject to tax, national insurance and pension. So you won't even get the full £125!

is it taxable ? i never knew that. I get maternity allowance not smp as i am self employed and the inland revenue said i didnt have to put it on my tax return as it wasnt a taxable benefit so i presumed smp was the same .

yeah it's taxable! it won't be much but it's the principle really lol

 

[Aphrodite]

Thats disgusting its taxable I agree we work hard and get NOTHING from the government. This is why Ive decided to take mat leave from my nursing course so near the end. I was upset about this at first but now Im realising Im actually really lucky as Ill be getting nearly 600 a month till baby is born (untaxed) then around 900 a month AFTER baby is born plus 80% of my childcare paid once Im back at work. I suppose there are some advantages for being employed or planning to be employed with the NHS!!

 

[Starmoon]

although i'm not too sure whats happening with them with the new budget? if you're worried about money then speak to your midwife, they have allsorts of information on what you're entitled to benefit wise. x

I don't think I would be entitled to any benefits as betweek us we earn about £48K (although obviously that would go down substantially while I am on Maternity Leave). OH is self employed as well so won't get paid Paternity Leave.

I should stop moaning, other people are in a lot worse financial position than I am, I am just so used to having loads of disposable income and I know that will disappear, I am being selfish!

I am going to save though during pregnancy and do overtime when available/when my body allows!

 

[Starmoon]

Hi, I work for a local authority too. They do have their own maternity package (although it isn;t great, better than stat pay alone!) It is 2 weeks full pay and 4 weeks at 90% (or the other wat around) Then 12 weeks(ish) on 50% plus SMP. Then the rest is basic SMP until your 39 weeks is up.

To qulaify you usually have to have been working there for 1 year 11 weeks before baby is due. I miss out by 9 days and am seeing my mw later to see if we can come to an agreement

Anna, an "agreement" regarding your dates would be very helpful!

I cant see my employer only paying SMP to be honest, they are so good with everything else, I will let you know when I find out.